INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
When Amazon introduced AWS Lambda in 2015, the notion of serverless computing was relatively unknown
It enables developers to deliver software without having to manage a server to do it
Instead, Amazon manages it all and the underlying infrastructure only comes into play when an event triggers a requirement
Today, the company released an app in the iOS App Store called AWS IoT 1-Clickto bring that notion a step further.
The 1-click part of the
name may be a bit optimistic, but the app is designed to give developers even quicker access to Lambda event triggers
These are designed specifically for simple single-purpose devices like a badge reader or a button
When you press the button, you could be connected to customer service or maintenance or whatever makes sense for the given scenario.
One
particularly good example from Amazon is the Dash Button
These are simple buttons that users push to reorder goods like laundry detergent or toilet paper
Pushing the button connects to the device to the internet via the home or business WiFi and sends a signal to the vendor to order the
product in the pre-configured amount
AWS IoT 1-Click extends this capability to any developers, so long as it is on a supported device.
To use the new feature, you need to enter
your existing account information
You configure your WiFi and you can choose from a pre-configured list of devices and Lambda functions for the given device
Supported devices in this early release include AWS IoT Enterprise Button, a commercialized version of the Dash button and the ATT LTE-M
Button.
Once you select a device, you define the project to trigger a Lambda function, or send an SMS or email, as you prefer
Choose Lambda for an event trigger, then touch Next to move to the configuration screen where you configure the trigger action
For instance, if pushing the button triggers a call to IT from the conference room, the trigger would send a page to IT that there was a
call for help in the given conference room.
Finally, choose the appropriate Lambda function, which should work correctly based on your
configuration information.
All of this obviously requires more than one click and probably involves some testing and reconfiguring to make
sure you&ve entered everything correctly, but the idea of having an app to create simple Lambda functions could help people with
non-programming background configure buttons with simple functions with some training on the configuration process.
It worth noting that the
service is still in Preview, so you can download the app today, but you have to apply to participate at this time.
